Refrigerated air water cooling system



Aug. 20, 1957 D. c. con.

BEFRIGERATED AIR WATER COOLING SYSTEM Filed Ma 25, 1955 R. W m m m 8 v w 1 v ./1 m 3 aqua ESQ 6 7 s29: mmcvkuqmm N SM2WMx M v 0 B why 0 N 9v w t \m guxm ut u A NM Q v \m gux u .Sm Z NM Q v MN NN ow q J. M u V .9

United States Patent 2,803,117 REFRIGERATED AIR WATER COOLING SYSTEM Dale C. Coil, Vivian, La.

Application May 25, 1955, Serial No. 511,059

7 Claims. (Cl. 62-141) The present invention relates to a water cooling system and more particularly relates to an apparatus for efiiciently and inexpensively reducing the temperature of a liquid.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a water cooling system whereby the water is cooled through the medium of a refrigerated air system with the refrigerated air being circulated in heat exchange relation with the Water.

An important object of the invention is in the provision of a cooling apparatus for the Water piping system wherein the water passing through the system is cooled by virtue of its heat exchange relationship with refrigerated air from a refrigerated air system.

A further object of the invention ancillary to the primary object is in the provision of a cooling apparatus of the foregoing described character wherein the refrigerated air is forced through heat exchange jackets by means of blowers necessitating no compressors.

A highly important object of the invention is in the provision of a water circulating system wherein the Water is cooled as it is circulated through the system in a novel manner, the system constituting a closed system to avoid evaporative loss of Water therefrom.

Another object of the invention is in the provision of a water cooling system which may be easily installed and built to any desired size, the system being particularly adapted for use in refineries or other installments where large amounts of cooling water are utilized in jacketed heat exchange relation with other fluids to be cooled.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which the figure is a digrammatic view of a fluid flow system utilizing the cooling apparatus of the present invention.

The Water circulation system constituting the present invention is designated in its entirety by the numeral 10 and is seen to consist of a water supply basin 12 from which water is pumped by pump 14 through an inlet conduit 16 to an apparatus 18 to be cooled, which apparatus 18, in the event the circulation system is to be utilized in refineries would constitute jacketed pipes with the water passing through the jackets in the pipes in heat exchange relation therewith. For example, an ordinary condenser or water or oil heater is contemplated. From the apparatus to be cooled 18, the water passes into a return conduit 20 and thence back to the Water supply basin 12.

In order to bring the water temperature back to its.

original degree when it has left the water supply basin as it returns through the return conduit 20, a plurality of heat exchangers 22 are arranged serially along the return conduit 20. The heat exchangers 22 are preferably the straight through-type utilizing no cycling effect of the cooling fluid as shown. The coolers or heat exchangers may be of the fin-type-bundle-type or fin-type-stack or Z,8@3,i17 Patented Aug. 20, 1957 'ice series type depending upon the desire and the convenience of the user .of the system.

The water returning through conduit 20, of course, is circulated through the heat exchangers 22 around the baffles 24 thereof.

An air cooler in the form of a refrigerated air system 26 of a suitable nature is utilized to cool the return fluid by passing refrigerated air through the straight through heat exchange members 22 in heat exchange relation with this return fluid. To carry this out, conduit 30 having branchconduits 32 extending therefrom and opening into the heat exchangers 22 leads from the refrigerated air system 26. The cooling air or refrigerated air will leave the exchanger through valves 42 out open ends 40 into the atmosphere. 1

Blowers 34 through duct or conduit 36 force the refrigerated air passing into the conduit 30 through the heat exchangers 22.

The return conduit 20 is provided on opposite sides of the heat exchangers 22 with suitable valves 38 whereby the heat exchangers may be isolated from the system for drainage, cleaning, replacement or the like. To drain the heat exchangers, the same are provided with drain ducts (unshown).

In many instances when the water has returned from its cooling function in apparatus 18, it is necessary to separate oil therefrom. To carry out this separation step, separation :drum 44 is provided into which the return conduit 20 opens. Bleeder conduit 46 serves as a means .for bleeding oil from theseparation drum,.the. bleeder conduit le being normally closed by valve 48.

Connecting conduit 50 connects the separation drum with the water supply basin 12 so that the circulation of the system is complete and the circulation of the system is entirely closed. Valve 52 in the connecting conduit 50 serves to close off the communication between the separation drum and the supply basin, when desired.

Thus, a system is provided for cooling the water in a closed water circulation cooling system that can be built to any size to fit the need of the user.

The system is practically break-down proof and in those instances where the temperature of the surrounding air is sufficiently low, the refrigerated air system may be dispensed with, and atmospheric air simply circulated through the heat exchangers by virtue of the fans and the fan housings 34.

The system enables the quick utilization of spare refrigerated units which may be set up as stand-bys.

The system is particularly designed for use in water circulation systems wherein the water is drawn from a well to supply basin utilizing low water pressure.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and de scribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A water cooling system comprising a water supply chamber, a water pipe leading from said chamber to an apparatus to be cooled, a return conduit leading from the cooled apparatus, a separation device connected to said return conduit, a conductor extending from said separator to said supply basin, air conducting members in heat exchange relation with said return conduit, an air cooler, valve controlled means conducting air fromsaid air cooler through said heat exchange members, and means to control the discharge rate of air from said members.

2. In a closed liquid circulation system wherein the circulated liquid is cycled through inlet and return c nduits from and to a supply basin, means for cooling the liquid as it passes through the return conduit, said means comprising a plurality of open ended heat exchange members serially communicating with said return conduit, an apparatus for refrigerating air, means for conducting refrigerated air from said apparatus through said open ended heat exchange members.

3. In a closed liquid circulation system wherein the circulated liquid is cycled through inlet and return conduits from and to a supply basin, means for cooling the liquid as it passes through the return conduit, said means comprising a plurality of open ended heat exchange members serially communicating with said return conduit, an apparatus for refrigerating air, means for conducting refrigerated air from said apparatus through said heat exchange members, said air conducting means comprising fans.

4. In a closed liquid circulation system wherein the circulated liquid is cycled through inlet and return conduits from and to a supply basin, means for cooling the liquid as it passes through the return conduit, said means comprising a plurality of open ended heat exchange members serially communicating with said return conduit, an apparatus for refrigerating air, means for conducting refrigerated air from said apparatus through said heat exchange members, a liquid separating tank interposed between said return conduit and said supply basin.

5. The water cooling system of claim 1 wherein there is a valve in the conductor which extends from said separator to said supply basin, and a bleeder line connected to and extending from said separation device in order to drain liquid therefrom.

6. In a closed liquid circulation system, a water supply 4 basin, a pump operatively connected to said basin to draw liquid therefrom, a conduit extending from said pump, an apparatus to be cooled in heat exchange relationship to said conduit, a first control valve in said conduit downstream of said apparatus, at least one open ended heat exchange member connected to said conduit for the flow of water therethrough, and another control valve on the downstream side of said heat exchange member, means in said conduit downstream of said control valves for separating foreign liquids from said Water, a pipe extending from said separating means and in registry with said water supply basin, a refrigerated air system, a refrigerated air duct extending therefrom and in registry with one open end of said heat exchange member, the other open end of said open ended heat exchange member having a control valve operatively connected therewith, and an air control valve on the upstream side of said heat exchange member and in said air conduit.

7. The circulation system of claim 6 wherein there is a blower, an air conducting duct extending from said blower and in registry with said refrigerated air duct, a valve in said blower duct so that the blower and refrigerated air system may be selectively used and simultaneously used to pass air through said open ended heat exchange member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 485,217 Parshall Nov. 1, 1892 808,898 Cates Ian. 2, 1906 2,506,843 Seiler May 2, 1950 2,664,001 Brisken Dec. 29, 1953 

